MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 15 line-up

Ok so the first game this week is Wednesday again, so make sure you have your team ready. Chicago, Chivas USA, DC United, Kansas City, New England and San Jose all don't play this week. Colorado, New York and Toronto play twice this week, so consider adding players from those teams. Looking ahead in the schedule, Chivas USA, Toronto and Seattle all are off next week. That means I'm not going to have a lot of flexibity, because five of my players are in one of those teams. Luckily I have two good replacements on the bench, so I should be able to manage.

Ok so here it is:

Changes:
In: Dwayne DeRosario, Dominic Kinnear, Brad Davis
Out: Freddie Ljungberg, Sigi Schmid, Fred

I'm bringing in DeRosario because he plays twice this week, even though he is going to be off (and probably off my team) next week. I'm bringin in Kinnear and Davis because it looks like Houston is once again the best team in the league and they don't have a bye until week 25.

Goalkeeper:
Stefan Frei - Toronto plays twice this week, one at home and one away. The home game is against New York, whose offense has been anemic, especially one the road. There is a pretty good chance of a shut-out. The second game is away at Real Salt Lake.

Defenders:
Chad Marshall - The Crew also have a great shot at a shut-out. They are at home against New York who will already have played a game earlier in the week. Maybe he'll get a goal off a set piece.

Omar Gonzalez - L.A. is at home against the Dynamo. Probably negative points here.

Kosuke Kimura - Colorado has two games this week. Kimura didn't start last week, but did get in in the second half. Lets see what happens, he should get some minutes over the two games. Altough if you don't start and play the whole game, you can't earn shut-out points, which is a real possibility in their home game versus FC Dallas. If they could shut-out DC United last week, they have a good chance with FC Dallas.

Midfielders:
Mac Kandji - New York has two tough games on the road. They could easily be shut-out in both, but Kandji has looked dangerous this season. If New York is going to score it is going to come from Kandji, Rojas or Angel.

Dwayne DeRosario - Two games this week, he's got a good chance to score on a pretty sub-par New York team at home. Away game at Real Salt Lake will be more challenging.

Amado Guevara - Any time I have Guevara in the line-up he never seems to disappoint. Hopefully he can keep it up in the two games this week.

Stuart Holden - No goal this week, but he's not going to score every week. Houston is away at Los Angeles.

Forwards:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Home game versus New York. I'm sensing that he'll add to his league leading ten goals this week. (Captain)

Juan Pablo Angel - Two tough games this week. If Angel isn't on form then New York could get shut-out of both games. He did manage a goal at home last week and he seems to find a way even though he doesn't always get the best service.

Fredy Montero - Nice week last week. Seattle is home versus Colorado this week.

Coach:
Dominic Kinnear - I think he is a good pick going forward. Dynamo look good and they don't miss another game until week 25.

Bench: Chris Pontius, Kasey Keller, Brad Davis

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries (on Friday too), and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp.

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK- Stefan Frei (TOR)
Two games this week. One at home against NY.

Defense-
Chad Marshall (CLB)
Home game vs. NY
Gino Padula (CLB)
Home game vs. NY. He can get up the flanks pretty well and serve a ball in. Maybe an assist.
Jordan Harvey (COL)
Colorado has two games this week. Harvey has the most points of any Colorado defender.

Midfield-
Dwayne DeRosario (TOR)
Two games, one at home vs. NY
Amado Guevara (TOR)
See above. Has been great this year.
Colin Clark (COL)
Two games this week, one at home vs. FCD
Javier Morales (RSL)
Good midfielder at home, even if it is against a pretty solid Toronto team.

Forward-
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (CLB)
Home game vs. NY
Omar Cummings (COL)
Two games this week, awesome game against DC last week (Captain).
Fredy Montero (SEA)
He's been on form and he is at home this week.h

Coach- Chris Cummins (TOR)
Toronto has the best shot at winning both their games this week.

Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $161K in cap space still. It seems like a lot of cash to have left overh. Thoughts, ideas anyone?

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 14 results

Another pretty solid week, the team logged 191 points. The majority of those are from Fredy Montero as my captain. All the forwards got points. Chris Pontius got 38 and was the only real contributor in the midfield. Negative points from the defense and no points from Keller. Sigi Schmid got me 18.

So now I have a total of 1875 points and I'm ranked 167. Hopefully I can keep moving on up. The cap-less team earned 168 points.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 14 line-up

I'm a little late getting this out considering that there is a game tonight (Wednesday), Seattle v. D.C. United. Both Seattle and DC play two games this week, so I would suggest loading up on their players. Chicago, Chivas USA, Kansas City and New England don't play this week and next week because of Super Liga. In addition to them Toronto doesn't play this week and DC don't play next week. Next week Colorado, New York and Toronto have two games. Remember that some US are still gone for the Confederations Cup.

So here is this week's team:

Changes:
In: Freddie Ljungberg, Kasey Keller, Amado Guevara
Out: Brad Davis, Pat Onstad, Marco Pappa

I got rid of Onstad because Keller was less expensive (and I need the money for transfers) and plays twice this week. I got rid of Davis because I worry about his health (injury report isn't updated) and Ljungberg plays twice this week. I got rid of Pappa because he misses two games and I picked up Guevara because he plays twice next week and I'm going to need to replace the DC guys who won't be playing next week.

Goalkeeper:
Kasey Keller - The best goalkeeper in the league, and he only costs 265K. I would have been happy keeping Onstad, but I needed the cash. Plus Keller plays twice this week once at home against DC and later on the road vs. New York.

Defenders:
Chad Marshall - He's back after suspension. I hope he doesn't get me negative points and make me wish he was still suspended. Columbus is away against the not so hot FC Dallas, so things should be ok.

Omar Gonzalez - L.A. is away vs. San Jose. Once again L.A. will be without Landon Donovan, which means that the defense will have to be solid lacking their main offensive weapon.

Kosuke Kimura - Home this week against D.C., then two games next week. If I ever feel like I have a free transfer, I might get rid of him to free up the 31K ( he is 206K and I'd replace him with someone who costs 175K).

Midfielders:
Chris Pontius - Hasn't produced recently, but has two games this week, both on the road, one vs. Seattle and one vs. Colorado.

Freddie Ljungberg - The newest DP has two games this week one at home vs. DC and one away against New York, who have been struggling lately.

Fred - Wasn't in the same form last week that he had been in the previous weeks. Hopefully he can make something happen in the two games this week.

Stuart Holden - Another goal last week, like clock work. Hopefully he can keep it up.

Forwards:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Two goals last week, two goals two weeks ago, maybe two goals this week? It's probably too much to ask, but one can hope.

Juan Pablo Angel - Finally at home after a tough stretch on the road. They have Seattle this week. I probably wouldn't have him on the team except that I want him for next week when he plays twice.

Fredy Montero - His second week as my captain. Hopefully in the two games this week he can amass some major points. (Captain)

Coach:
Sigi Schmid - Two games this week, probably a better choice than Tom Soehn who also has two games because Sigi's got one at home and his second opponent is not a strong as DC's.

Bench: Mac Kandji, Stefan Frei, Amado Guevara.

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries (on Friday too), and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp.

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK- Kasey Keller (SEA)
Two games this week.

Defense-
Chad Marshall (CLB)
Should be well rested after his week off; away against FCD one of the weaker teams in the league (although looking better lately).
Bobby Boswell (HOU)
Home v. RSL, Houston has been unstoppable lately.
Richard Mulrooney (HOU)
Home v. RSL. Top point getting defender right now, had a goal last week.

Midfield-
Stuart Holden (HOU)
He's been on fire.
Freddie Ljungberg (SEA)
Two games.
Fred (DC)
Two games this week.
Chris Pontius (DC)
I might have chose Christian Gomez here or as another one of the midfielders, but I went with Pontius because he is more likely to play more minutes and I wanted to use the third DC slot on Emilio.

Forward-
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (CLB)
He's been hot so I'll stick with him.
Luciano Emilio (DC)
Two games this week, Moreno might be out with injury(?) so more of the pressure to score will fall on him.
Fredy Montero (SEA)
Two games this week (captain).

Coach- Sigi Schmid (SEA)
Two games this week.

Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $37K in cap space still. Thoughts, ideas anyone? Sorry I'm getting this out on the day of the game.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 13 results

Nice week, 254 points for a total of 1684, which puts me ranked 277th. I'm averaging about 130 points per week, so this week I got almost twice my average. I got points from all of my forward. Guillermo Barros Schelotto has been fabulous, he's got ten goals over all, and it seems like he scores two goals every week. Fredy Montero got a goal and an assist (although between you and me, I probably wouldn't have given him credit for the assist.

Midfield wasn't spectacular, Stuart Holden got a goal, but no points from anyone else. Brad Davis only played a few minutes in the second of Houston's two games. Not too many negative points from the defense, because none of them played this week. Pat Onstad got a shut-out and some saves for 30 points this week. The weekly picks team earned 258 points.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 13 line-up

I somehow made a mistake last week, it turns out that both Toronto and New York do play this week, Colorado is the only team that's off. Houston and Chivas USA both have two games this week. D.C. United and Seattle have two games next week. Chicago, Chivas USA, Kansas City, New England and Toronto are off next week. Remember that people are still away for international duty.

So here is this week's team:

Changes:
In: Fredy Montero, Sigi Schmid, Fred
Out: Brian McBride, Robbie Findley, Denis Hamlett

Unloading Chicago guys because they don't play next week, picking up DC and Seattle guys because they have two games next week.

Goalkeeper:
Pat Onstad - Two games this week. A home game against Chivas USA and an away game at FC Dallas. Chivas is the best team in the league and Dallas has been looking better recently.

Defenders:
Chad Marshall - He's out because of a red card this week, but at least he won't be getting me negative points this week. I'm making changes elsewhere instead of replacing him.

Omar Gonzalez - Home against Real Salt Lake. Only one of my defender actually playing this week.

Kosuke Kimura - Colorado is off, but once again, won't be getting negative points and I'd rather make other changes.

Midfielders:
Chris Pontius - Home game against Chicago, two games next week.

Brad Davis - Two games this week, one against a good team, one against a not so good team, one home one away.

Fred - Home game against Chicago. Has looked in great form lately. Two games next week.

Stuart Holden - Game winning goal last week, two games this week.

Forwards:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Two goals last week, tough home game against Chivas USA this week.

Juan Pablo Angel - Only four points from two games last week. Away at Toronto this week, at least he used to playing on artificial turf.

Fredy Montero - Home game against San Jose, probably the worst team in the league. Two games next week. (Captain)

Coach:
Sigi Schmid - At home against a weak opponent and then two games next week, both winnable.

Bench: Mac Kandji, Stefan Frei, Marco Pappa.

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries (on Friday too), and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp. Make sure you check these, because I'm writing this before either of these came out (traveling this week).

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK- Kasey Keller (SEA)
Best GK v. one of the worst offenses.

Defense-
Bobby Boswell (HOU)
Two games.
Adrian Serioux (TOR)
Home v. NY.
James Riley (SEA)
At home v. SJ.

Midfield-
Stuart Holden (HOU)
Two games.
Brad Davis (HOU)
Two games.
Steve Ralston (NE)
Away at KC, seems to always put up points.
Dwayne DeRosario (TOR)
Home game v. NY

Forward-
Guillermo Barros Schelotto (CLB)
He's been on a role so I'll take him even against Chivas.
Eduardo Lillingston (CHV)
Two games this week, both pretty tough opponents. Galindo would be a good choice too. (Captain).
Fredy Montero (SEA)
At home against a weak SJ team.

Coach- Sigi Schmid (SEA)
At home against a weak SJ team. (Preki or Kinnear would be ok here too, but I'm not sure either team will win twice this week).

Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $49K in cap space still. Thoughts, ideas anyone? Sorry if this week's advice isn't too good, I'm trying to write this before I leave on a trip.

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 12 results

120 points this week for a total of 1430. Not bad, not great. It was disappointing that Juan Pablo Angel only got four points over two games. Luckily I got points from Pat Onstad, Stuart Holden and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who is now the co-leader for the golden boot. The no cap team got 105 points.

MLS Fantasy Challlenge: Week 12 line-up

So things are getting pretty hectic in Major League Soccer this time of year, you have to be thinking about international absences, injuries, suspensions and the crazy schedule coming up. After this week, for the six weeks, at least three team will be off every week. Next week it is Colorado, New York, and Toronto. Luckily for you, I've made a chart to help you navigate the next several weeks.

The number in each box is how many games per week. As you can see Columbus, Houston and L.A. all play every week during this period. Colorado misses next week and then plays all the rest and both Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas play all but one later in the period. I would suggest you start thinking about adding guys from these teams to your team. Especially Houston since they have two games next week.

So now let's get to the team:

Changes:
In: Brad Davis, Stuart Holden, Juan Pablo Angel
Out: Amado Guevara, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Jonathan Bornstein

I got rid of those guys because of a combination of national team obligations and their team's schedules over the next few weeks.

Goalkeeper:
Pat Onstad - I wanted to got with Frei here, but he is listed as questionable on the injury report. I think that LA is going to have a hard time producing offense without Landon. Chicago got shut-out by FC Dallas last week, so theorectically Houston should be capable of doing the same. Chicago should also be without some key players: Blanco, Conde, Soumare, and Segares.

Defenders:
Chad Marshall - Away at Kansas City, good pick up though, because I can count on him for the next seven weeks.

Omar Gonzalez - Away at Toronto, but another guy who will playing all the games in this next stretch.

Kosuke Kimura - Away at Real Salt Lake, but they will be missing the heart of their midfield, both Morales and Beckerman. Colorado is off next week, but play the rest of the games in the rest of the this two month stretch.

Midfielders:
Chris Pontius - Home against New York. He has gone three games without recording a goal or an assist, the longest dry spell of his career so far. This week will be a good opportunity to break it.

Brad Davis - Away against Chicago, who will be missing key players. If FC Dallas beat them last week, Houston should be able to get a result. I like this choice because Houston has two games next week too.

Marco Pappa - Has only played the full 90 once this season. With some may people missing, Pappa will have to perform.

Stuart Holden - Away against Chicago, I probably would have gone with Kandji here, but he is listed as questionable on the injury report. On the plus side, I like Houston for next week.

Forwards:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Away at Kansas City, he is only one goal away from his total output of last year (although no where near his assists output) and we are only a little more than a third of the way through the season. As mentioned above, Columbus plays every week over these next seven weeks.

Juan Pablo Angel - Two games this week. He's got four goals so far this season, so he needs to get a few more to get himself back in the race for the golden boot this season. (Captain)

Brian McBride - I wanted to go with Kenny Cooper instead, but injuries didn't allow me to make the switch. I'm not too worried about it though, because McBride is always a good choice.

Coach:
Denis Hamlett - With all of the absences and the result last week, my faith is a little shaken in Chicago. Now they have a chance to further test their depth.

Bench: Mac Kandji, Stefan Frei, Robbie Findley.

Make sure you check out the injury list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/injuries (on Friday too), and the discipline list: http://web.mlsnet.com/stats/discipline.jsp. Thier are an unusually high number of guys suspended this week.

Now here is, in my opinion, the best line-up this week starting from scratch and with no salary limits:

GK- Zach Thorton (CHV)
The best team in the league playing at home. I would have gone with Frei if he were healthy.

Defense-
Jimmy Conrad (KC)
Home v. CLB. This week I'm going with guys I think could score goals since there are fewer good shut-out picks.
Chad Marshall (CLB)
Away v. KC.
Jamison Olave (RSL)
At home v. COL.

Midfield-
Fred (DC)
Looked good last week filling in in the middle for Christian Gomez. At home v. NY
Chris Pontius (DC)
At home v. NY
Steve Ralston (NE)
At home v. NY
Davy Arnaud (KC)
At home v. CLB

Forward-
Juan Pablo Angel (NY)
Two games this week.
Kenny Cooper (FCD)
At home v. SJ.
Luciano Emilio (DC)
At home v. NY

Coach- Tom Soehn (DC)
I might have gone with Hyndman here, but he is suspended this week. I think DC can beat NY at home.

Comments, questions, suggestions? I have $26K in cap space still. Thoughts, ideas anyone? Any ideas on how to get Kenny Cooper into the line-up?

MLS Fantasy Challenge: Week 11 results

So this week was pretty good for me, I got 196 points for a total of 1310. Big points from Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Robbie Findley and Pat Onstad. Pretty shocking that Brian McBride didn't come away with points this week, and that Chicago lost to Dallas, at home no less. Looking back, it looks like a Columbus midfielder would have been a better addition than Chad Marshall, both Ekpo and Gaven logged points this week. I lucked out with Onstad, he was my third choice for GK this week, but recorded one of only two shut-outs this week and was the highest goalkeeper points earner. The cap-less team earn 208 points this week.